Cicadetta montana

Cicadetta montana (also New Forest cicada) is a species of Cicadetta found throughout Europe and in parts of Asia.

Contents

• Rare sight new forest cicada cicadetta montana 3of4
• Rare sight new forest cicada cicadetta montana 1of4
• Food plants
• Taxonomic history
• Synonyms
• New Forest cicada project
• References

It is regarded as endangered over large parts of Europe, and has vanished from several areas in Western Europe. It is the only cicada species native to England and Finland (Åminneforss in Pohja).

The adult females inject their eggs into the stems of food plants, and when the larvae emerge, they burrow underground and as nymphs feed on root sap. These underground cycles may last many years, differing for each species.

Females have a body measuring about 50 mm in length, with the males being much smaller. It has transparent wings with prominent veins, folded over the back when at rest, and a dark slate-grey or black body with dull orange rings around the abdomen. The legs are marked with dull orange as are the leading edges of the wings (costae).

As with all cicadas, the males produce the shrill, buzzing calls by rapidly flexing drumhead-like membranes, while the females are limited to producing clicks. The call of C montana sounds like static hiss to the unaided human ear and is sustained with relatively short lulls at irregular intervals. Their shrilling was venerated by the ancient Greeks, but detested by Virgil.